IAmKhaye

I agree that since my GC is in my married name already, I thought that will automatically be reflected on my naturalization certificate. But in my case, I think it's not going to happen as my profile name on my USCIS account had already changed to my maiden name. I guess I will be carrying around my marriage certificate whenever I need proof of name change.

Hello everyone, I am so grateful to everybody who have contributed to this amazing website. I have learned a lot of insights and use those to guide me with my Naturalization journey. I now have a query about the name change process. During the interview I was asked by the IO (who was amazingly nice) if I would like to initiate a name change (I chose NOT to change my name on the n-400 application). Since my current legal name is in my married name, he advised me to do legal name change if I want to use my current married name. His explanation was that ideally, one's birth name (which is my maiden name) should the one reflected on the Naturalization Certificate. I was a bit confused while listening to him, but eventually went ahead and initiated the name change so I can officially use my current married name. Questions: 1. Is my understanding correct that a married woman can legally change her name (take their husband's last name as their last name) automatically as long as the marriage is valid and there is a marriage certificate that proves it or if a woman prefers to use his husband's last name? If that's the case, then I do not think I need a name change. Technically, my current married name should be one reflected on the naturalization certificate. 2. When I checked my USCIS online account, my profile has changed from my married name to my maiden name. Is this something I need to be worried about? Or will my new name (which is my married name) be reflected on the naturalization certificate during the oath ceremony? Before we concluded the interview, the IO showed me my new name (on the tablet) which is my married name and stated that the name should be reflected on my naturalization certificate. But seeing my USCIS account profile changed to my maiden name, I am now concern. Every document I have (Green Card, Passport, Social security, DL, Banks, Credit Card, Taxes) is in my married name. Thank you so much in advance for your insights.

@OldUser Is it okay to upload Tax Account Transcript instead of Tax Return Transcript to submit with the n-400 app online? IRS only provides 3 years' worth of tax return transcripts compared to tax account transcripts which provides 5 years' worth of tax history which is exactly what I need.

@Mike E My stepchild got his citizenship through naturalization. His biological mom petitioned him to the US.

The stepchild is from my spouse previous non-marital relationship. The child was born overseas, and it was the biological U.S citizen mom who brought the child over to the US. The child is already a US citizen even before me and my husband met.

Yes, he is a U.S citizen.

Oh, that's my plan. I will skip uploading the USC stepchild's BC for now (as additional evidence) and submit my application online without it. I am actively working on getting the BC. It's an uphill battle but hopefully I will have it on hand before the interview. The child was born overseas by USC parents. And obtaining it from the biological mom is impossible. So will have to work with an agency to process it on my behalf. The stepchild is over 18 y.o now and I have never met him. I believe he stayed with his biological mom the whole time.

I apologize, I have read a lot of VJ threads and got the information mixed up. If I may ask, did she list her adult USC stepchildren in her n-400 application?

Understood. Thank you so much! About my USC stepchild's BC, I guess I can safely skip uploading the evidence for now as I still do not have it on hand. I will definitely bring it during my interview. My concern is when I try to skip it, a warning message pops up which states that if I do not upload, my application maybe delayed. I thought the additional evidence is optional. I am unsure to submit my application online knowing that this might indeed delay my application.

I am finalizing my application now, since your wife applied under the 5-year rule, did she upload a 5-year worth of tax transcripts under the "additional evidence" online too? or she just uploaded the required evidence and took the rest to the interview?

Alright. I will try and I'll let you know. Thank you so much. I could apply for the 3-year rule but based on most of the VJ member's recommendations (including yourself), applying for the 5-year rule is definitely the way to go. So, I'll go that route.

Just to clarify, your wife was able to skip the warning message, correct? My USC stepchild whom I have never met was under 18 years old when I got married to my current spouse. The child is now over 18 years old and my spouse is done paying the child support. I did not have any obligation with my stepchild as the child live with the biological mom the whole time.

Hello everyone. Thank you so much in advance for the responses. I am filing my N-400 online under 5-year rule. Under “Additional Evidence” it asks for my USC stepchild’s BC which I do not have. It states there that I have the option to not upload the additional evidence. In this case, can I safely ignore the warning message about uploading my stepchild’s BC and submit my application? If I ignore it, will it affect the processing of my application? I have read from other (visa journey) threads that the USC stepchild's information/documents are not mandatory as it does not play any significant part on the immigrant’s citizenship case unless it’s the immigrant’s biological child or the immigrant is legally obligated to support the stepchild (dependent).

I do have a follow-up query. Is the approval of I-193 at the port of entry and being readmitted as LPR after that long trip enough to keep my LPR status for naturalization purposes? As what @Family had mentioned, USCIS will not consider trips outside the statutory period. However, my concern now is the process on how I was readmitted. Or is this even an issue and I am just being paranoid? I just wanted to cover all bases and prepare myself for any possible hiccups that may arise during the naturalization process.

We decided to push through with the 5-year rule per your recommendation. Thank you so much! Though applying for the 3-year rule is not really a concern as we have more than enough evidence to provide, the 5-year route is definitely less burdensome.